Apparatus for use in preparing adhesive coated tapes for use



R. C. NASH Dec. 21, 1965 APPARATUS FOR USE IN PREPARING ADHESIVE COATEDTAPES FOR USE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. .27, 1962 FIG.4

1N VENTOR.

WChM ATTOR N EY Dec. 21, 1965 R. c. NASH 3,224,309

APPARATUS FOR USE IN PREPARING ADHESIVE COATED TAPES FOR USE Filed Aug.27, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 y FIG? INVENTOR.

WW C. M

ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,224,309 APPARATUS FOR USE IN PREPARINGADHESIVE COATED TAPES FOR USE Ralph C. Nash, 61 Manchester St., Nashua,N.H. Filed Aug. 27, 1962, Ser. No. 219,433 7 Claims. (c1. 83156) Thepresent invention relates to the preparation of adhesive coated,flexible tapes for use and to apparatus for effecting such preparation.

The flexibility of adhesive coated tapes makes their use difficult, adifficulty to which the length of the tape strips and tendency of suchtapes to curl, particularly towards the end of the roll, contributes.This difficulty, while common in other fields, is particularly wellillustrated in the sealing of the flaps of corrugated cartons.

In practice, dispensers are used that project lengths of tapes in acondition for use but, due to their flexibility, such lengths dropfloorward as they are projected. It is necessary, accordingly, for aworkman to use both hands in order to hold the length of tape extendedfor application. It is thus hard for him to close the carton flaps, toapply the tape accurately to the butted flaps, and to press the tapeinto sealing position. As a consequence, the sealing of cartons is arelatively slow and inefiicient operation and is frequently attended byimperfect sealing.

The general objective of the present invention is to enable suchadhesive coated flexible tapes to be so prepared that lengths may bedispensed that are free of the above noted objections and this objectiveis attained by deforming the length of tape as it is being projected,the deformation being in the form of a lengthwise channel reinforcingthe projected length so that it is sufficiently inflexible to enable itto be held and applied while held by one hand with the other hand beingfree to close the carton flaps and then to assist in the positioning ofthe length of tape and the pressing of the positioned length intocorrect sealing relation to the butted flaps.

Another objective of the invention is to provide means by which one endof the deformed length is held approximately horizontal by the dispenserso that it may be readily removed therefrom by the worker with itsrelative inflexibility making it easy for him to position the lengthwith adequate end portions available for application to the walls of thecartons. In this connection, each dispenser may be so located that suchdeformed lengths are projected into a position over or under a carton tobe sealed, a position which may be close to the zone to be sealed.

Yet another objective of the invention is to provide tape deformingmeans that may be adjusted so as to enable the gummed surfaces ofmarginal portions of the channel-like deformation to be disposed towardsor away from each other as required in use whether the deforming meansis a single pair of rolls or includes multiple roll pairs.

Another objective of the invention is that of providing tape deformingmeans in the form of an attachment for tape dispensers.

These and other objectives, novel features, and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from the accompanying drawings in which thereare shown illustrative embodiments thereof.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a longitudinal, vertical section of a tape dispenser inaccordance with the invention,

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view showing a deformed length of tape held byone hand over the flaps of a carton that are to be sealed together,

FIGURE 3 is a view showing the same length of tape 3,224,339 PatentedDec. 21, 1965 in a typical condition if not provided with a lengthwisereinforcing deformation,

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view, on a substantially increased scale, ofthe deforming means of the embodiment shown in FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 5 is an end view of similar deforming means whose supportingstructure is rotatably attached to the dispenser,

FIGURE 6 is a view of another embodiment of the deforming means in whicha pair of rolls is so mounted that it may be turned transversely betweentwo operative positions, and

FIGURE 7 is a perspective view illustrating three different tapes.

In FIGURE 1, a tape dispenser is generally indicated at It and is shownas having a spindle 11 rotatably supporting a roll of tape 12. Tape fromthe roll is fed forwardly through a throat 13 and between an upper idlerroll 14 and a lower driving roll 15 which are exposed in the throat 13.The driving roll 15 is driven as by the roll 16 on the drive shaft ofthe motor 17. By these or equivalent means, a length of tape is pulledfrom the roll and projected forwardly under a knife 18 and under abacking plate 19 below which there are brushes 2!) which provide acapillary feed of water from the tank 21 to the adhesive-coatedundersurface of the tape. The adhesive coat of the tape 12 iswater-activated. The tank 21 is also provided with a heater 22 toincrease the rate of penetration of the adhesive coat, and it will beunderstood that where it is desired that tape be dispensed with itsadhesive-coated surface upwardly disposed, the brushes and the watersupply are located accordingly. It will also be understood that wherethermo-adhesives are used, a heater is used by itself and that withpressuresensitive adhesive, neither moistening nor heating means areprovided.

The dispenser 10, as thus far described, is conventional and enableslength of tape to be projected and then severed by means of the knife 18which is typically electrically operated. The knife 18 and the motor 17are usually automatically controlled by means adjustable as to thelength of tape that is to be projected and severed but as the means forso doing are not part of the present invention, they are not hereinshown or detailed.

In accordance with the invention, a deforming unit, generally indicatedat 23, is attached to the outfeed end of the dispenser 10 and is shown,as may best be seen in FIGURE 4, as having idler rolls 24- and 25supported on shafts 26 and 27, respectively, disposed transversely ofside walls 28. The roll 24 is shown as having a V- shaped peripheralgroove 29 entered by the similarly shaped peripheral crest 30 of theroll 25. The deforming unit also has idler rolls 31 and 32 supported onshafts 33 and 34, respectively, forwardly of the first pair of rolls 24and 25 and disposed transversely of the end walls 28. The roll 31, likethe roll 24, has a V-shaped peripheral groove 35 entered by a similarlyshaped, peripheral crest 36 of the roll 32. The deforming unit 23 may beprovided with a heater 37 to ensure that the tape is properlyconditioned.

A length of tape is driven between the two pairs of deforming rolls asit is projected thereby to provide it with a lengthwise deformationshown as a channel 38 of angular section. In practice, the first pair ofrolls is essentially guide means and is shown as being so shaped anddimensioned as to partially form the channel thereby ensuring the entry,without buckling, of the leading end of the projected tape length intothe deforming means.

The pairs of rolls of the deforming means 23 provide support for thesevered end portion of a projected length of tape which is renderedrelatively inflexible by its de formation and held substantiallyhorizontally thereby. When thus positioned, the projected length caneasily be pulled free and held by one hand above a carton 39 with theother hand of the workman free to close the carton flaps 40 into buttingrelationship so that the tape length may be applied quickly, easily, andaccurately to seal them together, see FIGURE 2.

If desired, the roll of tape may be precreased as shown at 41 or, in thecase of a laminated tape, it may have a central, unlaminated zone 42,see FIGURE 7.

The deforming means, generally indicated at 23A, in FIGURE 6 includerolls 43 and 44 whose respective shafts 45 and 46 are mounted in endplates 47. The roll 43 has a peripheral, V-shaped channel 48 entered bythe similarly shaped peripheral projection 49 of the roll 44 so that therolls 43 and 44 coact in deforming a tape length but without the guidingand two stage deformation advantages of the unit 23.

The plates 47 each have a pivot 50 and these are transversely alined andsupported by the side walls 28A of the deforming means 23A so that theposition of the rolls 43 and 44 may be reversed by turning the handle 51thus to enable the margins of the gummed surface of the deformed tape tobe disposed towards or away from each other as desired in use. A detentfor holding the rolls in either position is indicated at 52.

In order that this feature may be provided when the deforming unit hastwo pairs of rolls, deforming means, generally indicated at 2313 areused and are identical to that shown in FIGURE 4 except that its sidewalls 2813 include a circular end wall 53 caught under a circular flange54 at the outfeed end of the tape dispenser.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the invention makespossible the dispensing of relatively inflexible tape lengths thatenable tape to be used with increased ease, economy, convenience, andaccuracy.

I claim:

1. In a tape dispenser, means to rotatably support a roll ofadhesive-coated tape, means to pull tape from said roll and to project alength of it, and means through which the tape is passed as it isprojected and by which its cross sectional shape is varied to providethe tape with a lengthwise deformation in the form of a channelstiffening it against collapse and dividing it into lengthwise portions,said deforming means being adjustable relative to the course of theprojected tape length between two positions, in one the gummed faces ofsaid portions being disposed towards each other and in the other, saidgummed faces being disposed away from each other.

2. In a tape dispenser, means to rotatably support a roll ofadhesive-coated tape, means to pull tape from said roll of tape and toproject a length of it and a pair of outfeed, tape-deforming rollsbetween which the tape is passed as it is projected and by which itscross sectional shape is varied to provide the tape with a lengthwisedeformation in the form of a channel stiffening it against collapse anddividing said length into lengthwise portions, and means to swing saidrolls between a first position and a second position, in said firstposition, one roll being above the other with the gummed faces of saidportions being disposed towards each other, and in said second position,said rolls being reversed and said portions being disposed away fromeach other.

3. The dispenser of claim 2 in which the deforming means is a pair ofrolls mounted in end supports, each end support includes a pivot axiallyalined with the other, the axis of said pivots being in the zone oftangency of the rolls, one pivot including means facilitating the turning of the deforming means from one of said positions to the other.

4. In a tape dispenser, means to rotatably support a roll ofadhesive-coated tape, means to pull tape from said roll and to project alength of it, and two pairs of rolls between which the tape is passed asit is projected and by which its cross sectional shape is varied toprovide the tape length with a lengthwise deformation in the form of achannel stiffening it against collapse and dividing said length intolengthwise portions, and means to shift the position of said rollsbetween a first position in which said tape portions are disposedtowards each other and a second position in which said tape portions aredisposed away from each other.

5. The dispenser of claim 4 in which the rolls are carried by a frameincluding an end wall, and the dispenser includes structure rotatablysupporting said end wall.

6. An attachment for a tape dispenser of the type having means torotatably support a roll of adhesivecoated tape, and means to pull tapefrom said roll and to project a length of it, said attachment includingmeans for attaching it to the outfeed end of said dispenser and meansthrough which the tape is passed as it is projected and by which itscross sectional shape is varied to provide the tape with a lengthwisedeformation in the form of a channel stiffening it against collapse,said means including two pairs of coacting members, said attaching meansproviding a support for said attachment enabling it to be turned betweentwo positions, in one position, the margins of the gummed surfaces beingdisposed towards each other and, in the other, the margins beingdisposed away from each other.

7. In a tape dispenser, means to rotatably support a roll ofadhesive-coated tape, means to pull tape from said roll and project it,two pairs of idler rolls through which the tape passes as it isprojected, and tape severing means between said pulling means and saidpairs of rolls, said two pairs of rolls being spaced from each otherlengthwise of and in the path of the tape as it is projected, the rollsof each pair being disposed with the roll axes parallel to the plane ofthe tape and spaced apart in a plane at right angles thereto to receivethe tape between them, a corresponding one of each pair of rolls havinga peripheral channel and the other roll of each pair having achannel-entering crest, both pairs of rolls acting on the tape as it isprojected to provide it with a lengthwise deformation in the form of achannel and cooperating to guide the tape against lateral movement whilebeing so deformed, the height of the channel being such as to so stiffensaid length that, when projected, said length is rigid and, whensevered, it may be handled as a rigid member, the height of said channelbeing partly formed by the infeed pair of rolls and completed by theoutfeed pair of rolls thereby to minimize resistance to the tape at theinfeed side of said infeed pair of rolls as the tape is projected fromsaid tape pulling means, and the two pairs of rolls providing supportfor the projected tape length.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,218,249 3/1917Englert 270-93 1,967,579 7/1934 Kruger 11844 X 2,198,926 4/1940 \Valden225--104 2,235,532 3/1941 Reardon 83--15 X 2,252,733 8/1941 Sherman eta1. 225-4 2,285,228 6/1942 Potdevin 225-4 2,626,588 1/1953 Klug 83-922 X3,088,356 5/1963 Ortner 8392 X 3,088,356 5/1963 Ortner 83922 X FOREIGNPATENTS 744,058 2/1956 Great Britain.

WILLIAM W. DYER, 112., Primary Examiner.

ANDREW R. JUHASZ, Examiner,

7. IN A TAPE DISPENSER, MEANS TO ROTATABLY SUPPORT A ROLL OFADHESIVE-COATED TAPE, MEANS TO PULL TAPE FROM SAID ROLL AND PROJECT IT,TWO PAIRS OF IDLER ROLLS THROUGH WHICH THE TAPE PASSES AS IT ISPROJECTED, AND TAPE SEVERING MEANS BETWEEN SAID PULLING MEANS AND SAIDPAIRS OF ROLLS, SAID TWO PAIRS OF ROLLS BEING SPACED FROM EACH OTHERLENGTHWISE OF AND IN THE PATH OF THE TAPE AS IT IS PROJECTED, THE ROLLSOF EACH PAIR BEING DISPOSED WITH THE ROLL AXES PARALLEL TO THE PLANE OFTHE TAPE AND SPACED APART IN A PLANE AT RIGHT ANGLES THERETO TO RECEIVETHE TAPE BETWEEN THEM, A CORRESPONDING ONE OF EACH PAIR OF ROLLS HAVINGPERIPHERAL CHANNEL AND THE OTHER ROLL OF EACH PAIR HAVING ACHANNEL-ENTERING CREST, BOTH PAIRS OF ROLLS ACTING ON THE TAPE AS IT ISPROJECTED TO PROVIDE IT WITH A LENGTHWISE DEFORMATION IN THE FORM OF ACHANNEL AND COOPERATING TO GUIDE THE TAPE AGAINST LATERAL MOVEMENT WHILEBEING SO DEFORMED, THE HEIGHT OF THE CHANNEL BEING SUCH AS TO SO STIFFENSAID LENGTH THAT, WHEN PROJECTED, SAID LENGTH IS RIGID AND, WHENSEVERED, IT MAY BE HANDLED AS A RIGID MEMBER, THE HEIGHT OF SAID CHANNELBEING PARTLY FORMED BY THE INFEED PAIR OF ROLLS AND COMPLETED BY THEOUTFEED PAIR OF ROLLS THEREBY TO MINIMIZE RESISTANCE TO THE TAPE AT THEINJECTED SIDE OF SAID INFEED PAIR OF ROLLS AS THE TAPE IS PROJECTED FROMSAID TAPE PULLING MEANS, AND THE TWO PAIRS OF ROLLS PROVIDING SUPPORTFOR THE PROJECTED TAPE LENGTH.